"Johnny Big Wheel is a paedophile....he isn't really but, hey, I am just exercising my right to free speech"

Now obviously there is a victim in this instance, and it is hyperbolic, but when you lie for GAIN (either intentionally or by association with the lie "you are a vet? have a free beer") then abso-fucking-lutley should legislation kick in and you should get toasted alive

I cannot help to wonder, and will research it later, but have any of our esteemed Justices ever served in the military. Even a Reservist or National Guardsman among them would make me feel better, or in this case, worse.

Did this stolen valour act apply to people who were actually in the military but who stretch things a little bit to impress their old school friends and get laid ?

It could, technically.

I didn't realize they did this today. That's truly unfortunate. To be honest, though, all that would have to happen is that the awards could be made something like a professional protected title. It's not free speech to say that you're a (medical) doctor, a psychologist or a police officer when you're not.

It's not free speech to say that you're a (medical) doctor, a psychologist or a police officer when you're not.

But it was already against the law to impersonate a member of the military in order to falsely exercise military authority, access military facilities etc.. It was already against the law to collect money under false pretences.

But it's not against the law to tell a random person in a bar that you're a shrink. Why should it be against the law to tell them you were in the air force?

Yes, people who do that are liars. But I'm sure we can both think of a long list of commonly told lies that are not criminal offences.

What you're asking for is something more akin to a law against burning the stars and stripes. More akin to asking for a way to legally enforce a respectful attitude towards a governmental institution.

But it was already against the law to impersonate a member of the military in order to falsely exercise military authority, access military facilities etc.. It was already against the law to collect money under false pretences.

But it's not against the law to tell a random person in a bar that you're a shrink. Why should it be against the law to tell them you were in the air force?

Yes, people who do that are liars. But I'm sure we can both think of a long list of commonly told lies that are not criminal offences.

What you're asking for is something more akin to a law against burning the stars and stripes. More akin to asking for a way to legally enforce a respectful attitude towards a governmental institution.

I'm on an android device, so things are a little difficult to format, but this will be simple.

I'm not asking for Joe Bag of Donuts to go to prison for telling someone else's war story.
However, there are plenty of people who build entire careers on their bullshit military acheivements. Those people should face prison time.

I'm on an android device, so things are a little difficult to format, but this will be simple.

I'm not asking for Joe Bag of Donuts to go to prison for telling someone else's war story.
However, there are plenty of people who build entire careers on their bullshit military acheivements. Those people should face prison time.

Should people face prison time for lying about which college they attended, or their grades ?